Bound by Blackmail (2022) Movie Script

♪ La-la-la-la-la-la ♪

(Nicole) 'See, aren't you

glad we took the scenic route?'

(Ari) 'Yeah, it's nice.'

Are you nervous?

You only ask me

that if you're nervous.

- No, I don't.

- 'Yes, you do.'

And it's called projection.

Oh, is it called,

is it called projection?

See, you're smart,

you don't need a psych degree.

'It's gonna save me

a ton of money.'

- Ha-ha.

- No, it's fine.

I'm gonna make this

U turn right here.

- Mom. Mom!

- It's fine.

He's gonna let me over.

Don't you dare. Stay and drive.

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

- Thanks for the help, mom.

- Yeah, of course.

You know, they never

change these lights.

You should ask your RA

if he has any spare bulbs.

Okay, I will.

Or I could just

drive a couple up.

I'm sure they sell

light bulbs in town.

- Right.

- I'm gonna be fine.

And you're gonna be fine.

Alright, we got

a lot more to unpack.

♪ Have to go have to go ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ Have-have to go

have to go have to go ♪

[music continues]

♪ Have to go have to go

have to go ♪

♪ The end of the world ♪

♪ At the palm of my hand ♪

♪ When it all goes to hell ♪

♪ Will you still be my friend ♪

♪ My face to the sea ♪

♪ And my back to the land ♪

♪ If you can't come with me ♪

♪ I'll understand ♪

♪ Hmm hmm ♪

♪ Can we meet in the dark ♪

♪ Hmm hmm ♪

♪ We don't have to say much ♪

♪ And if you have to go ♪

♪ Have to go ♪

♪ I'll understand ♪

♪ If we didn't know

what we know ♪

♪ The end of the world ♪

♪ At the palm of my hand ♪

♪ When it all goes to hell ♪

♪ Will you still be my friend ♪

♪ Have to go have to go ♪

♪ My face to the sea ♪

♪ And my back to the land ♪

♪ If you can't come with me ♪

♪ I'll understand ♪♪

[instrumental music]

[phone vibrating]

(Nicole) 'And, uh, since

then I'm working in tech.'

Do you know the app Wilfried?

It's like a Uber

for personal assistants.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I love that app.

- I'm their CFO.

- Wow.

You were always this smartest

kid back in high school.

Oh, hardly. But thank you.

I'm really glad

that you reached out.

Me too.

With Ari gone I can use

every excuse I can get

to get out of the house.

If you're looking

for stuff to do

why don't you take

some classes with us?

I don't know, Diana, it's..

Oh, come on.

I've been inviting

you out forever.

I know, and I appreciate

the persistence. I do.

It's just..

The whole self help

conference is not my thing.

I get it.

But it's not just conferences.

The Initiative is a community.

Nicole, it has changed my life.

You know, Phyllis?

She's a member.

- Phyllis? Our Phyllis?

- Yeah.

Oh, my.. Really?

- Man, we had some time.

- We did.

And now we only ever see

each other over socials.

I mean, this could be

like a proper reunion.

Look, we're having

a conference this weekend.

Why don't you just sign up

and give it a try?

[chuckles]

[instrumental music]

Phyllis?

Oh, my gosh, it is you.

- Hi.

- Oh, my God!

- It's just been forever.

- I know.

- And you look amazing.

- Oh, well, as do you.

Thank you.

Diana roped you into this,

didn't she?

Yes, she did. She did.

Yeah.

But you have to be enjoying it.

You've been here

a couple of years now, yeah?

Yeah, you know, honestly, I just

come for the refreshments.

Well, there's that.

My girls. Oh, isn't this great?

Nicole,

I am so happy that you're here.

Well, I am thrilled to be here.

We should probably

grab our seats

we're about to start.

Follow me.

[instrumental music]

[people cheering]

That's the founder.

[cheering]

[laughing] Alright. Alright.

Wow!

Guys, I-I am so excited

to spend this weekend

of growth and discovery

with all of you.

Thank you so much for coming.

Thank you.

But first, I see some

new faces in the crowd.

Welcome.

Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Ken Palmer.

[cheering]

And I'm here to take you

on a journey.

A journey

to find your true self.

Whatever that may mean for you.

Whether that means a beautiful

brilliant new career

whether that means

a new relationship

'whatever your heart desires.'

Initiative's SSP.

Self Success Program

will help get you

to that next level.

Right. I'm glad you made it.

All you got to do..

All you got to do

is ask yourself one question.

- What is it, Ken?

- 'Do you know what it is?'

- What's the question?

- 'Do you know what it is'

[indistinct chatter]

- What is it?

- What is it, Ken?

Are you ready?

[people cheering]

'Are you ready?'

[indistinct chatter]

Sure.

Fulfilled, rich life?

Are you ready? Yes, you are.

- Who are we?

- Initiative.

What are our tenets?

Productivity

'affirmation, community.'

You are ready? Then come with me

'cause I will take you there.

'Your Intiative.'

[people cheering]

Thank you so much.

[cheering]

(Phyllis) So what're

you even doing here?

'Cause, you don't strike me

as the type of person

who needs this kinda place.

Oh, come on.

I think it's kind

of interesting.

It's expensive.

- This weekend alone is $500.

- I know.

But honestly,

I thought it could be a way

for me to make some new friends.

You know, I had Ari

when I was only 20.

So between raising her

and the job

my, uh, my social circles

a little lacking.

[people cheering]

(Ken) Thank you.

Phyllis.

You go ahead.

We have all weekend to catch up.

- I'm gonna see you tomorrow.

- Yeah.

- Tomorrow.

- Okay.

(Ken) Good.

Ken, I want you to meet

my friend Nicole Miller.

This is her first

weekend with us.

Really? Wow. Well, Nicole, thank

you so much for joining us.

- Thank you for having me.

- Of course. My pleasure.

Have you met my brother, Justin.

He's the chairman of Initiative.

Uh, no. Hello.

- Nice to meet you, Nicole.

- Very nice to meet you.

Hey, can you do me a favor?

They're having an issue

with that PowerPoint.

- Could you give me a hand?

- Sure.

- Fantastic.

- I can help.

Great.

Well, Nicole,

can I interest you in a tour?

- I'd love one.

- Fantastic, right this way.

[intense music]

Working on a little

gardening project.

- Oh.

- Trying to keep it beautiful.

- Hi. Good to see you.

- Hi.

So all of these people

here, they're members?

Yes, they are.

The members devote

their spare time

to help keep up

our little home away from home.

Some cook, some clean.

We all have a role to play here.

It does sound nice.

[instrumental music]

(Nicole) 'Wow, okay, well,

you certainly aren't camera shy.'

'Are you, Ken?'

These really looks like

they're having a good time.

Yeah, you know, self help

doesn't have

to be such a drag, you know?

I don't know.

I'm not really one

for self help culture.

Oh, I see a skeptic.

It's nothing personal.

It's just, I don't think any

one person has all the answers.

No, you're right.

I don't have them either.

Okay.

See what we do is, we just

help you try

to understand that I'm in here.

Uh, it was a pleasure meeting

you, thank you so much.

- A real pleasure.

- Certainly.

If there's anything you ever

need, my door is always open.

I appreciate it.

Thank you for the tour.

Of course.

I got the PowerPoint working.

Fantastic. Alright.

Well, then, if you'll excuse me.

- Yeah.

- Take care.

- See ya.

[indistinct chatter]

I deserve wealth and abundance.

[crowd shouting] "I deserve

wealth and abundance."

I deserve success and happiness.

[crowd shouting] "I deserve

success and happiness."

Yes, you do. Thank you.

[people cheering]

I want you to do that

every single day.

See what happens.

That is our time for today.

Thank you all so much.

Have a beautiful,

productive evening, everyone.

Take care.

[people cheering]

I'm so happy you made it.

I'm really glad that I came.

[indistinct chatter]

- That suit's great.

- Yeah. See you.

- Nicole.

- Phyllis.

You have got to get out of here.

- What is this?

- Go and never come back.

Okay, now

you really are scaring me.

- What is going on?

- We can't talk here.

Do you wanna go

get a coffee or something?

No, no, no, it can't

it can't be public.

Okay, um, listen, can I

can I meet you

at your house later?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

[intense music]

[upbeat music]

And then the smoke alarm

went off at like 2 a.m.

and Sarah was like

"I was making mini pizzas."

Wait, which was Sarah?

Is she the Wisconsin girl?

Wow, you've had

a really busy first week.

(Ari on phone)

'It's been awesome.'

Are you gonna go back?

I did like how ambitious

everyone was so..

[doorbell rings]

(Nicole) Let me call you back.

[grunting]

[intense music]

[bone cracking]

[music continues]

(Ken) Productive, joyful

full, rich, happy.

These are the things

that we strive for in this life.

We don't want to be miserable.

Yeah, hold on.

Let me hear our three tenets.

(all) Productivity

affirmation, community!

(Ken)

'You know, let's say more time.'

'Because I love the way

they sound. What are they?'

(all) Productivity,

affirmation, community.

(Ken) 'That is right,

because with productivity'

with affirmation,

and with community

that will create the world

that we want to live in.

'Let's be in this world.

Let's be strong in this world.'

Let's be joyful in this world.

Everything that you want

you can have.

'Let me hear it.

Let me hear it.'

[people cheering]

- Nicole, hi.

- Hi.

I got you a coffee

with almond milk.

- I hope it's okay?

- It's perfect.

- Yeah. Thank you.

- Yeah.

You've seen Phyllis?

No, I don't think

she's here today.

- You heard from her?

- No, why?

Well, she's supposed

to come over last night.

And then she never showed and

now I can't get

in touch with her.

Yeah, that is kind of strange.

And then yesterday

as I was leaving.

I don't know

she just seemed distraught.

- Really?

- Yeah.

- Did she say something?

- No. See?

That's what's weird,

she really didn't say anything.

Well, um,

why don't we go ask Ken?

Maybe he has her a working

in the garden or something.

So I think the expansion

is going to be something

that we really need to focus on.

Just four to six weeks. We do.

- Yes.

- Excuse me, Ken.

Nicole just had

a quick question for you?

Oh, great.

Nicole, please come on in.

Is that all, Diana?

Mm-hm.

So Nicole, you have questions

about the program?

Uh, no, I had

a question about a person.

Phyllis Whitlock.

Phyllis, she was

an old friend of yours, right?

Yeah, I was just wondering

do you know

if she's coming

in today at all or?

Well, I'm sorry to tell you this

but, uh, we received

an email from Phyllis

this morning informing us

that she's quitting.

Is something happened?

Did she say why?

No. Actually, no,

she didn't mention it.

However, between us

Phyllis had some difficulties

grasping some of the concepts.

I mean, this, this journey

is not for everyone.

It's just so weird, you know

she's not returning

any of my calls or texts.

Did you two have a disagreement?

I mean, perhaps you said

something to upset her.

You know, we could discuss it

this afternoon

in your session if you'd like.

It's alright.

I-I'd really rather not.

Okay. Well, sure.

Well, then you know what?

I really wouldn't

worry about it.

I'm sure that she's just taking

some time for herself, you know?

And it's a, it's a good thing

to do from time to time.

- It's healthy.

- True. Yeah.

Well, have a good day.

I'll see you later.

Thank you. Yeah.

[intense music]

Hey. You okay?

I'm fine.

Thanks.

I'm Nicole.

What's your name?

Megan. Megan Walker.

Did something happen or...?

'Hey, I've got a daughter

about your age.'

'I can..'

Do you not want to be here?

Thank you for the tissue.

[instrumental music]

Hey, Diana, it's Nicole.

Look, I'm starting

to get worried about Phyllis.

You don't happen

to have her address, do you?

[instrumental music]

[knocks on door]

Hello?

Phyllis. Hello?

Excuse me.

Um.. Hi.

Um, I was just, um..

Wait, you're Robyn, right?

- You're Phyllis's sister.

- Do I know you?

Uh, I went

to Central Vista High.

In Phyllis's grade.

Nicole Miller.

Oh, yeah.

I-I think I remember you.

Look, I just came by because

I can't get a hold of Phyllis.

Neither can I? That's why

I came by to check on her.

Do you mind if I check with you?

Are you with the Initiative?

I'm.. No.

I mean, not technically.

- I saw her there yesterday.

- You can go now.

- Thanks.

- Oh, okay.

Uh.. Wait, please.

Look, this is my number.

If you hear anything from her

will you please call me

I really need to talk to her.

'It's important.'

Wait, you're going back?

I just, I can't

shake this feeling

that something weird

is going on at Initiative?

- Because of Phyllis.

- Yeah.

Why would she email Ken

and then not return

any of my calls or text?

I'm telling you something's

going on there?

Mom, this all

sounds really shady.

Why are you getting involved?

[sighs]

Because Diana's still there.

Okay? And she's so sweet.

She's exactly the kind of person

that places like this

take advantage of.

What if she goes missing next?

What if you do?

I'll be careful.

I'm just gonna ask around.

See if any of the other

members know anything.

You have enough to worry about.

It's your first month of school.

Don't add your mom to that list.

She can take care of herself.

[instrumental music]

Hey, gang.

Welcome to another round of ER

or Emotional Release.

Unburdening oneself

of toxic emotion

is one of the key

elements towards

achieving abundance.

Now, that being said

this is a safe space.

'There are no cameras'

there are no microphones.

And none of this will

go on your personal files.

So.

Nicole, would you like to dive

into the deep end

and don't worry I'll catch you.

If it's okay,

with-with everybody

I'd really rather

just watch the first one.

Sure. Okay, of course,

no worries.

Well, that leaves

the hot seat open then..

Wendy.

Ah, fantastic.

Thank you for being

so brave, Wendy.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[cabinet squeaking]

[music continues]

What are you doing in here?

Oh, I

I was just waiting for Ken.

I had some questions

about the financial structure

and you know, how that works.

- Oh?

- Yeah.

Well, I'm the chairman.

That stuff's my wheelhouse.

How about I walk you through it.

Yeah, it'd be great.

I'd-I'd really appreciate that.

Good thing Ken didn't

find you in here.

He doesn't take kindly to people

snooping around his office.

But we'll keep it our secret.

Shall we?

[door opens]

So I keep hearing

about these levels.

Yeah, there are currently

11 of them.

Ken's an 11, naturally.

But we might even add some

new ones as Ken sees fit.

And that's based on how many

classes you take?

(Justin)

Among other things. Yeah.

[Nicole chuckles]

It's kind of based on

how much money you spend, right?

I mean, I know how expensive

these classes can be.

Well, they're investments.

Besides once you start enrolling

new members

you get a percentage

of their fees.

Okay, so Diana gets a percentage

of my fee

because she enrolled me.

And then it goes on up to Ken.

That's basically right.

It's kind of shaped

like a pyramid.

Why do I have a feeling

you're asking about

more than just

the financial structure here?

No, I'm just, I'm wondering

maybe that's why Phyllis quit.

You know, she felt pressure

to pay for classes

or if anybody here

feels pressure

to pay for classes?

No, of course not.

Everyone's here

because they want to be.

If you don't,

that's your decision.

Free to go at anytime.

Excuse me.

[instrumental music]

[upbeat music]

[people cheering]

[music continues]

Thank you for having me.

[intense music]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey.

You feeling any better

from last week?

Yeah.

How did you end up

at Initiative?

I saw some of the posts

on Faces and Friends

about how Initiative can help

make you your best self.

Classes are so expensive.

Conferences

I hope you don't mind me asking

but how do you afford it?

My grandpa, he died last year.

He left me a big inheritance.

I'm so sorry.

He always believed in me.

Do you have any, um

any family here or parents?

It was pretty much always

just me my grandpa.

Well, look, if you ever

need anyone to talk to

I know what it's like

to not have family around.

Initiative's my family now.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me, one second.

- Hello.

- 'Nicole.'

- Robyn.

- 'I found Phyllis.'

- What's wrong?

- 'She's dead.'

Okay, yeah,

I'm on my way, right now.

Right after I saw you,

I went up to her bedroom.

And that's where I found her.

Since then, it's been non-stop

talking to the police,

calling my family

crying, mostly.

God, Robyn, I'm so sorry.

- What did the police say?

- That it was an overdose.

But that's impossible.

Phyllis was 15 years sober.

She would have reached out to me

if she felt like

she was gonna start using again.

So you think

her death was staged?

I don't know.

The other day when I came by you

thought I was with Initiative

and you slammed

the door on my face.

Why was that?

I couldn't figure out

why you were

at her house what you wanted.

(Nicole) 'I was supposed

to meet with Phyllis.'

'I got worried

when she didn't show.'

Sorry. I was so rude.

It's just when Phyllis

first started there,

everything was fine.

She was enjoying the classes.

- 'She liked the founder..'

- Ken Palmer.

But the longer she was there,

the less I saw of her.

It was like they were trying

to keep her from me.

Did Phyllis ever

mentioned money to you?

Like how much she had to spend

to keep going to Initiative?

She never gave me many details.

Maybe she was trying

to protect me.

But I was her older sister

I was supposed to protect her.

I'm a journalist.

I work crazy hours.

Maybe if I had been around or...

No, no, listen to me.

You have no blame in this.

Okay? None.

I hate to ask you this question.

Bud did the cops give you an

approximate time of death?

Sometime overnight

Saturday. Why?

[intense music]

- Nicole.

- Phyllis is dead.

- What?

- Oh, you look surprised.

Well, yeah, of course.

I'm surprised.

Well, you don't think

I had something to do with this?

When I stood in this office

last Sunday

you said you just got an email

from Phyllis that morning.

- Saying she was quitting.

- She did.

Except she was already dead

in her house the night before.

- So how do you square that?

- I don't know.

But I'm-I'm telling

you the truth.

Look,

I can even show you the email.

I only came in here

to let you know that

I will find out

what happened to Phyllis.

And unless you want to make

things much worse for yourself

I better not hear about any

other members going "Missing."

Okay, Nicole, look, you've got

the wrong idea about us.

Okay? Check me out.

Alright? Check out Initiative.

Don't worry. I intend to.

[instrumental music]

[door slams]

- Nicole.

- Megan.

- You said I could talk to you.

- Yeah.

There's a sauna

in the women's locker room.

Meet me there in five minutes.

[intense music]

Megan?

Hello?

Is somebody in here?

Is someone else in here?

Megan?

[knocks on door]

- I'm sorry.

- 'What do you mean, sorry?'

Megan, wait.

[dramatic music]

[grunting]

Hello? Please.

Open the door!

[coughing] Hello? Help! Hello?

[coughing] Please!

[music continues]

Help!

[panting]

[lock clicks]

I'm so sorry.

[groaning]

[panting]

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

I'm sorry that took so long.

I made some tea.

- Thank you.

- 'Yeah.'

Nicole, I feel so terrible

about what happened.

I don't understand why Megan

would tell you

to go in there like that.

- Because somebody told her to.

- What?

Why would somebody do that?

Don't you see what's happening?

Somebody at Initiative

tried to kill me.

Oh! No. No, no, no, no.

Come on. This was an accident.

Like Phyllis'

death was an accident.

- That kind of accident.

- I don't

Diana, I need to know

if I can trust you.

Of course, you can trust me.

I think whoever attacked me

is the same person

who killed Phyllis.

Nicole

I'm devastated about Phyllis

and about what happened with you

but Initiative

is my entire life, I can't...

Has anybody ever threatened you

or pressured you to keep

taking all these classes?

I'm at Initiative

because I like it.

Look, just promise me you're

gonna look after yourself.

And if anybody threatens you

you'll tell me.

Of course.

Okay.

Thank you for helping me.

Yeah, of course.

I had to go through

all this when my mom died.

Trust me. It is nothing

you want to do on your own?

Phyllis.

She didn't have

an easy life, you know?

Do you think that's how

she got sucked into Initiative?

Because Ken, he just seems

to know how to zero in

on the things in people

that hurt.

Probably.

Phyllis for all

of her good qualities

never was a good judge

of character.

Maybe she's just trying

to see the best in people.

Truth is

she was a perfect mark

for a place like the Initiative.

She always was a follower.

Did you tell

any of this to the police?

That detective didn't want

to hear a word I had to say.

He clearly was not

going to investigate her death.

Did you get his name?

Uh, I got his card.

'Great.'

[intense music]

I'm sorry, Miss Miller,

but it says right here.

Coroner confirmed cause

of death to be an overdose.

Phyllis was sober.

Not according

to our toxicology report.

Look, I'm sorry for your loss.

I know how tough

losing a close friend...

No, what I'm trying to tell you

is that Phyllis's death

was just staged

to look like an overdose.

Staged by this self help

place you mentioned?

You know what, I would really

appreciate if you tried

to take my concern seriously.

Trust me, I am.

I'm here to help.

Look, you're trying to make

sense of all this. I get it.

The problem is all

you've given me so far

is speculation and hearsay.

Nothing I can actually

open an investigation on.

Well, what about the fact

that Ken Palmer claims

he got an email from Phyllis

the day after she died?

This judge isn't gonna let me

subpoena anybody's

email over that.

Okay, well, someone

tried to kill me.

There are women

who are up there trapped.

Maybe a judge is going

to listen to that.

I'll tell you what,

I'll look into it.

I'll ask around,

see if anyone knows

anything about

this Initiative place.

But without any actual evidence

to support your claim

there's nothing else

I can do for you.

Look, you have my card.

You come up with

anything else, any evidence

proof, anything that I can go on

just give me a call, I'll pick

up any time of day. I promise.

Thank you, detective,

I really appreciate it.

Absolutely.

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

Hey.

You look like you

could use a hand.

I'm not supposed to talk to you.

We're not allowed

to talk to outsiders.

Megan, if that's it's like here,

why don't you just leave?

Because they won't let us leave.

You can't just quit?

So everybody around here acting

like they love being here?

They're all..

They're all being held

against their will.

Some of them are true believers.

We all were at some point.

Some of us are basically

just enslaved now.

You should really go.

- Megan, I can help you.

- No, you can't.

Phyllis tried.

She tried helping all of us.

Look what happened?

Are you saying that Initiative

had Phyllis killed?

All I know is that

Phyllis was a threat.

Initiative gets rid of threats.

- Now, go.

- Nicole.

I didn't expect

to see you here again.

I was just leaving.

(Ken) Nicole! Nicole!

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to

I didn't mean to frighten you.

Look, I think that you

and I maybe have gotten off

on the wrong foot and really

like to try and make that right.

- Would you?

- I would.

You lost a friend in Phyllis

and we've lost a family member?

Yeah, I'm sure you're really

broken up about it.

Nicole, grief is a really

complicated emotion.

I mean, you can lose yourself

and your life can unravel.

I'm just trying to offer you

tools to help

navigate you through that.

Ken, if you don't

get away from my car

I'm gonna navigate through it

by running over your foot.

- Hey, hey, hey, okay. Okay.

- Okay?

Hey, look, I'm just offering

you a free seminar.

That's it.

A free seminar

whenever you want.

Redeemable any time.

[engine revving]

Idiot.

[intense music]

So Initiative

really is just a big scam?

No, it's worse than that.

Everybody there

worships this guy Ken.

They give him all their money

and then they can't leave.

You know? It's like a cult.

Yeah, what did

that detective say?

Nothing useful.

He's not even willing to look

into it without more evidence.

[sighs]

What about Diana,

can't she help?

No, I think Diane

is a true believer.

Then what about Phyllis's

sister?

- 'Robyn?'

- Yeah.

She is a journalist.

Maybe she'd be willing to run

a story on Ken? Expose him.

That's a great idea.

Do you think she would do it?

I don't know. There's only

one way to find out.

Maybe if she does

do an article on it

maybe you can just let her

do the story.

So you don't get put in

any more danger.

Am I sensing

a role reversal here?

You worrying after me?

- I'll be careful.

- Okay.

I promise.

Look, even if the police

won't reopen Phyllis's case

we could stop new members

from joining

we could maybe even

bring 'em down.

You know big investigative

pieces aren't my beat, right?

I can introduce you to someone

at my paper who does it.

Don't you want to be

the one that brings.

Initiative down?

Okay.

[sighs] Great. How do we start?

I can try to find former members

who are willing to talk.

If there's such a thing

as a former member.

That's just the thing,

we've got to figure out

the mechanism of control.

Is Ken just brainwashing

these women?

Is it blackmail, violence?

- I could go back in.

- No, that's not a good idea.

No, look, I'll just go in,

I'll take a look around

maybe ask some questions.

Ken keeps a very,

very tight circle.

They're not even allowed

to talk to outsiders.

For the record, I do not think

you should do this

but if you do

just stay out of the sauna.

You're funny. I'll be in touch.

[intense music]

[car beeps]

You gotta be kidding me.

[muffled screaming]

[thuds]

[panting]

My God.

Detective Hale

it's Nicole.

I was just attacked, um

I'm at 615 North Broadway.

Okay, please hurry, thank you.

[intense music]

Now, do you believe me?

More importantly, are you okay?

Barely.

Looks like someone

did quite a number on that tire.

Somebody almost did

a number on me.

Alright, did you get

a good look at this guy?

No, he had-had a mask on.

Any idea who he is?

Yeah, I told you

who's behind this right.

- Right. Ken Palmer.

- Yeah.

Look, I did a bit of digging

into this Initiative place.

They seem on the level.

Okay, well then you

mustn't have dug very deep.

Okay, look, I know these

people are a bit eccentric.

But I passed this place

by the folks in fraud

they said it's pretty standard

multi-level marketing stuff.

No, I am telling you

that this is a cult.

They killed for this.

Now they're trying to kill me.

Alright, I'll tell you what.

I'll assign a uniform

to watch over you.

- To keep you safe.

- Thank you.

You gotta understand

you're asking me to open

an investigation

to a specific person

and company without

a single shred of evidence.

That's just something

I can't do.

What I can do is

help you fix that tire.

No, it's alright, I can do it

I can change a tire. Thanks.

Alright. Well, call me

if you need anything else.

Thanks.

[sighing]

[knocks on door]

Yes.

Oh. Hi, Nicole.

Hi, Ken.

I thought a lot about your offer

and you're right.

I could really

use some support right now.

Well, you're in luck, because

that's exactly what we offer.

Hey, you're just in time.

Come with me.

Well, that is really interesting

because in just one

of our focus sessions

you will get more work done

than one of your contemporaries

would in an entire week.

Oh, I wish I'd known.

You know, I-I didn't bring

any work with me today.

That's okay.

I brought it for you.

There you are.

- Thank you.

- Of course.

Diana.

Oh, uh, cellphone, please.

To keep you from distraction.

Productivity,

the second tenet of Initiative.

And what is the key

to productivity?

- Accountability.

Shall we?

[intense music]

[door closes]

[music continues]

[sighs]

[music continues]

[buzzer buzzing]

(all) Accountability.

[intense music]

[inhales deeply]

[buzzer buzzing]

(all) Accountability.

Accountability.

I just have to use the bathroom.

Shh.

[music continues]

[intense music]

[buzzer buzzes]

[in unison] Accountability.

Is he watching us?

Level one's. Time's up.

Thank you, Wendy.

- There you go.

- Thanks.

Mm-hm.

[Nicole sighs] God.

[sighs]

[dramatic music]

Megan, what are you doing?

It's my fault. I was late

for one of my classes.

How long have you been

standing like this?

Maybe an hour.

It hurts so bad.

Is this a punishment?

Oh, God, Megan, you know, honey,

put your arms down.

I can't.

Not until Ken tells me to.

Screw Ken.

You don't understand.

I tried to quit

Initiative before.

I couldn't afford it anymore.

And then I got an email

with a video.

What was on the video?

It was me

in an emotional release session

confessing my darkest,

darkest secrets.

I'm trapped.

No, Megan, Megan, listen to me.

I'm working with a journalist

to expose Initiative.

And if I promised that

she would never use your name

would you tell her

what you just told me?

Okay. Okay, honey,

I'll make that call right now.

I'll be right back.

[cellphone ringing]

Thank you guys so much.

What you're doing

is really brave.

I'm gonna call you. Okay?

- Hey, Nicole.

- Robyn.

I have figured out how Ken

keeps people from leaving.

'It's blackmail.'

[scoffs] Of course.

That psycho.

Listen, I have

a current member here

she's willing to talk to you.

That's amazing,

because I just got

two family members

willing to go on record.

Apparently Initiative has

isolated their sister from them.

- Like Phyllis from you.

- 'That's not all.'

(Robyn on phone)

'They think that she's having'

'a relationship

with the founder.'

'And apparently

she's not the only one.'

'Ken likes to take turns

spending weekend with them.'

Yeah, well, Ken did say

everybody has a role to play.

Yuck!

(Robyn on phone) 'Where

are you? Can you meet up?'

I can't. I..

I'm still at Initiative.

'I just, I wanna make sure

that Megan's okay.'

'And one more thing

I need to check on.'

I'll swing by tomorrow. Okay?

Okay. I'm gonna start writing.

Be careful.

You too.

Hi.

That's very good, Megan.

You're free to go.

You can put your arms down now.

Thank you, Ken.

So, we're just about to start.

Will you be sitting

in the circle today?

- I was just heading there now.

- Fantastic.

I'll see you in there.

[dramatic music]

Alright, Nicole,

what're you doing here?

You're obviously not back

in the program.

No, listen, Diana,

I know that this place means

everything to you, but I'm

telling you it's dangerous.

What are you talking about?

So, Ken is..

Secretly recording

all the sessions.

Alright, everyone, who is ready

to release what burdens us?

Hello, Nicole.

Hi.

What've you got there?

No-nothing, I-I just..

Did you just take something?

No, I-I was telling Diana that

I don't, I don't really feel

ready to share today..

Uh-uh, trust circle, everyone.

Uh, Nicole..

The reason why we have these

emotional release sessions

is because we don't

keep secrets.

So, what did you take?

- What did you take?

- Ken.

What're you doing, man?

- She stole something.

- 'So what?'

We don't have any

crown jewels here.

Let her go.

[intense music]

Hey, Nicole. Nico..

- Hey! Nicole. Nicole.

- Justin, stop following me.

Look, look, look, I

I know my brother can be

a little intense sometimes.

Intense? Is that

what you call it?

Yeah, he's been

acting weird lately.

Anyway, I just want you to know

if he ever crosses a line,

or anything

you can always come to me.

Okay, so either

you guys are running

this whole thing together

or this entire operation

is going all under your nose.

And you don't even know it.

I-I honestly don't know

what you're talking about.

You need to open your eyes.

[instrumental music]

[cellphone ringing]

Hey, Robyn, it's Nicole,

I've been trying

to get in touch with you

all day.

[keys clanking]

[engine revving]

I'm heading to Phyliss' now,

so hopefully you're there

'and we can exchange details.'

'I have the camera but there's

no memory stored in it'

'so we need to find where

Ken hides his footage.'

[coughs]

[door closes]

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No.

Oh!

Help me!

[muffled screaming]

Help me!

(Nicole) 'Without the footage

the camera just isn't enough'

to shut them down, so hopefully

you're there and we can..

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[instrumental music]

It looks like

a possible suicide.

This is Initiative, okay.

This is Ken Palmer.

He killed Robyn because he knew

that her and I were working

on something to expose him.

- This is what he does.

- Okay, okay. I believe you.

Okay? There are lot

of coincidences here

that are not adding up

so I'm gonna open up

an official investigation.

Okay.

Here, you can start with this..

- A security camera?

- It's blackmail.

That's what Ken does,

he hides these everywhere

and he has these weird

group therapy sessions

where people come in and they

divulge their darkest secrets.

He uses that to keep people

from quitting Initiative.

That's how he does it.

I'm still working on

finding the video files.

I will find them.

You're clearly messing

with the wrong people here.

Just let me do my job,

I don't want the next call I get

to be about you getting hurt

by these people too.

- Okay?

- Okay.

Alright.

Shoot.

[cellphone ringing]

- Hello?

- 'Stop looking in Initiative.'

- Who is this?

- 'Leave us alone .'

(male #1 on phone)

'And we'll leave you alone.'

And if I do what happens

to all those women

who are trapped at Initiative?

'Either you start minding

your own business'

'or you'll end up

like Phyllis and Robyn.'

'The choice is yours.'

[knocking on door]

- Hi. Come on. Get in, get in.

- Oh.

What was that about

at Initiative?

- Were you followed?

- What? No.

I mean, I-I don't,

I don't think so.

Did you tell anybody

at Initiative

that you were coming here?

No. What is going on?

Okay. Sit, sit.

Diana, I need you

to level with me.

Are you being forced

to stay at Initiative?

- Forced? How?

- With blackmail.

From that little video camera

that I found?

What? No.

Have you ever been threatened

if you tried to quit?

I've never tried to quit

Initiative.

I've told you I like it there.

That's why I don't understand

what's happening

at all right now.

Diana, Robyn's dead.

- Who?

- Phyllis' sister.

She was investigating

Initiative.

- What?

- Exactly.

And I think I'm next.

If Initiative gets

what they want.

Do you really think that

Ken is killing people?

It's either Ken

or someone that he hired.

He's gonna stop at nothing

to keep from being exposed.

There has to be

another explanation.

No, Diana.

I know that Initiative

means the world to you

but you already know

that Ken's been lying

we just have to prove it.

- Do you have a key?

- Yeah.

Sometimes I have to go in early.

- But Nicole...

- It's perfect.

We go into his office

after hours.

We check his computer

for the video files.

I don't know.

Diana

I really need you

to trust me on this.

Okay... I trust you.

[dramatic music]

Okay.

I'll check the cabinet.

Is there anything

on the computer?

Just member records,

financial statements

the normal stuff.

There's gotta be something.

There's nothing on here.

Nothing?

[gasps]

Diana, the flash drives.

Look, they've got

all the members' names on it.

Phyllis Whitlock,

and you.

When I caught my ex cheating,

I took a baseball bat

and... I smashed his windshield.

And all of the windows.

The hood. The lights.

- I'm sorry.

- No, it's okay.

(Ken)

Do you have feelings of regret?

The thing I regret

is that I only smashed his car

with a baseball bat.

I should have cut the brakes.

[sighs]

[shushing]

Somebody's here.

- I'll take these.

- Let me look.

Put the chair back.

I'll meet you at my house.

Okay, I'll meet you there.

Mrs. Miller?

Detective Hale?

What're you doing here?

I was coming by

to check this place out

I saw the light was on.

I thought I'd find Palmer.

Look. Look.

I got the videos.

I have all the hard evidence

that we need to prove

that Ken's blackmailing

his members into staying here.

Alright, we better

get out of here.

Let's talk outside. Come on.

That was reckless

what you did in there.

You want an even bigger target

on your back?

- No, no, no, no, this way.

- But my car's this way.

No, it is too dangerous

for you right now.

We'll take my car

to the station.

- Come on.

- Okay.

If that is what you say it is,

you can cause a lot of trouble

for these people.

I just don't want you

to get hurt, that's all.

I'm gonna be fine.

I appreciate your concern.

(Hale)

'No, you should be careful.'

I'm sure your daughter wouldn't

want anything happening to you.

I didn't tell you

I had a daughter.

[intense music]

Can you pull over?

I think I'm gonna be sick.

Just hang on a minute,

we'll be there soon.

- 'No, I-I can't... '

- Damn it, just hang on.

Mm-mm. I'm gonna be sick.

You have to pull over.

- Please, pull over.

- Damn it.

Damn it.

[sighs]

Alright, let's go. Come on.

[screams] Damn it.

Hey! Where are you going?

Damn!

[panting]

[intense music]

[cellphone ringing]

Hello?

(male #1) 'You have something'

'that doesn't belong to you.'

Is this Ken?

Or is this Detective Hale?

(male #1) 'It didn't have

to be this way, Nicole.'

'All you had to do was stop

when you were warned.'

And leave hold all those women

at Initiative captive?

(male #1)

'What business is it of yours?'

If I were you,

I would call a ceasefire.

Try diplomacy instead,

what do you say?

(male #1) 'Why would I do that?'

Because if you don't, I will

take all of these flash drives

and the story behind them to

someone who will not bury it.

(male #1) 'You should be very

careful when making threats, Nicole.'

[message chimes]

[gasps]

[cellphone ringing]

Hey, mom.

Ari, where are you right now?

I'm just about to head out

to class, why?

Okay, listen to me.

Stay in your room.

- Lock the door.

- Why?

Don't leave the building,

not even to go to class. Okay?

'Do you have the number for

campus security in your phone?'

What's going on?

I'm coming to get you right now.

- 'Just stay inside.'

- Okay.

[dramatic music]

[upbeat music]

[siren blaring]

No.

He killed my friend Phyllis,

he killed her sister, Robyn

and if you leave me alone

with him, he's gonna kill me.

Ma'am, you're under arrest

for assaulting an officer.

You know what,

you don't understand...

No, you don't understand,

Miss Miller

your actions have consequences.

Let's go.

I'm telling you

he's part of a cult.

And he killed them.

You can't do this, please.

Watch your head.

[buzzer buzzes]

I was told I made bail.

What's taking so long?

Paperwork.

There's always paperwork.

So what are you? Some sort of

secret founder of Initiative?

Silent partner.

Honestly, I'm not involved

in all that much.

I just protect the company

from threats.

You're doing it for the money.

You can't really think

arresting me is gonna stop.

Initiative's secrets

from coming out?

Speaking of secrets,

I, um, I checked your house.

Found your safe.

I'm gonna need you

to give me the code.

Okay.

Yeah, let's say

I give you the code

you get the files

Ken gets his blackmail back.

What do I get?

You drop the charges?

It's out of my hands.

See, cops don't like it when

one of their own is assaulted.

I wonder how they feel

about one of their own

killing innocent women?

I didn't kill anyone.

I just happened to be working

when the calls came in

assessed the crime scene

and concluded that

neither death was suspicious.

You're crazy if you think

I'm not gonna leave here

and tell the very first person

who will listen to me

what you're doing, you don't

want that person to be a judge.

You know I found something else

at your house.

It's Ari, right?

She's pretty girl.

If you so much as think of

my daughter's name again, I'll...

You'll what?

Turn around.

You mind your own business

and you can pick up your car

from the lot tomorrow.

[buzzer buzzes]

- Thank you so much for coming.

- Of course!

- I'm paying you back.

- Don't worry about it.

It's all taken care of.

Okay. What is this?

You told me to open my eyes,

so I did.

I asked around.

Diana told me what you found.

Diana, you didn't..

He wants to help us.

Nicole, I had no idea Ken was

keeping people from leaving.

Or that he had that blackmail.

I swear.

What do we do?

What I know about my brother

is that he's relentless.

He'll stop at nothing

to get what he wants.

I'm still waiting

to hear a plan.

Here's the plan,

give me the drives.

Do you think I'm stupid?

As long as you have

those videos, you're not safe.

Give them to me, I'll get them

into the right hands.

I know what I'm asking of you,

but Ken and his followers

will just keep coming after you

unless you let me help you.

Nicole, you can trust him.

No, no.

No, I can't, I can't trust

anyone from the Initiative.

- Not even you.

- What? Nicole!

You stay away from my family!

[instrumental music]

[rattling]

[intense music]

No, no, no.

Mom?

[Nicole groaning]

[grunts]

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

Come on. Come on.

[sighs]

Oh, thank you.

What are you doing here?

You freaked me out so much

when you called earlier

and then you tell me

you can't make it

because you're in jail?

So, I caught a ride with Sarah.

She was driving this way anyway.

Well, I'm glad I freaked you out

because you just saved

my life in there.

- Who was that?

- I don't know.

It was dark, and the whole thing

happened so fast.

Someone from Initiative?

Yeah.

Are they gonna keep coming back?

I don't know.

God, I wish I never signed up

with them in the first place.

Why did you sign up?

I don't know, it felt

like a way to meet new people

you know and then when I saw

what was happening with Phyllis

and Diana and you

out of the house

it just

I felt like a way

to look after somebody.

Mom, you know that even though

I don't live here anymore

I still need looking after,

right?

That's really sweet of you

to say, honey.

But I mean it, okay?

You can't go getting yourself

killed over this.

We have to find a way

to stop them.

No, I will find a way.

[intense music]

Community, uh, productivity.

Affirmation community. We live

by these tenets so we can..

Now what?

I'm here to offer you a deal.

A deal? What kind of deal?

I won't go to the cops

as long as you shut

Initiative down.

And nobody, I mean, nobody comes

near me or my daughter again.

[sighs] I honestly have no

idea what you're talking about.

Oh, I know, I know, yeah.

Plausible deniability

is kind of your thing.

What is with you?

Why are you so set

on bringing Initiative down?

All we have ever tried to do

is help people.

That's it. We're a family.

- You're family?

- Yes.

This is a cult.

And you, you're just

a manipulative wannabe guru.

You have no idea who I am.

You have no idea

what I'm trying to create.

All you see are wild baseless

conspiracy theories.

I suggest that you leave.

Oh, I'm leaving.

And I'm taking the flash drives

of blackmail with me.

And in case you don't hold up

your end of the bargain

I'll take them to a news outlet

that'll run the story.

What are you talking about?

What?

What flash drives?

What blackmail?

And just so we're clear,

any member that wants to quit

is now free to do so

and that includes Megan Walker.

What? What're you talking about?

Megan loves it here.

Right. You know my terms.

Nicole, I need the hard drives.

Get off of me!

[upbeat music]

[grunting]

What you do to the hard drives?

What did you do with them?

I'll kill you,

I swear I'll kill you.

- Come on.

- Diana?

Let's get out of here.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

- Sure?

- Let's go.

You don't need to say

you're sorry to me.

I'm the one that brought you

into Initiative.

This is actually all my fault.

No, this is not your fault.

This is Ken's fault.

[banging on the door]

[sighs]

Hey. Is everyone okay?

Yeah. What are you doing here?

Ken just called me,

freaking out.

I've never heard him like this.

He's talking about that

he's willing to kill

to protect Initiative.

You guys gotta get out of town.

We all do.

What'd I do with

the flash drives?

- I still have them.

- Honestly, Nicole, dump them.

As long as you have them,

you and Ari will never be safe.

Wait! Just give them to me.

I'm the one that brought you

into this mess, okay.

I should be the one

to try to fix it.

Okay. Alright.

Let me go get 'em.

Come on, sweetie.

[dramatic music]

Okay.

Whatever you do,

do not give these to anyone

you think might secretly

be Initiative?

Of course not.

Are you and Ari gonna be okay?

Yeah, yeah,

we're leaving right away.

Good.

- Thank you.

- Bye.

Hey, help me pack this bag.

(Ari) 'Where are we going?'

We'll figure it out on the way.

Do you really trust Diana?

I think so.

I was kinda low

on options at this point

but just in case I'm wrong,

I have this.

What's that?

I need to get it to this girl

Megan at Initiative.

This gives her something

to fight back with.

Okay, so, are we just gonna

drop it off

on our way out of town?

No, I'm gonna drop it off

and you, you're gonna stay here.

What? No way.

Yes, you are so much safer here

with the doors

and windows locked

than you would be out

in the open.

- What about you?

- I'm gonna be fine.

You stay here, you finish

packing, keep your phone on.

I'll be 15 minutes.

Hey!

I love you.

Love you too.

Lock the door.

[intense music]

No, Megan, no.

[gasps]

It's okay. It's okay. Please.

You need to come

with me right now.

There's something

I have to tell you.

I-I'm sorry, I just

I didn't do anything wrong.

Please, you don't have

to do this.

Anybody home?

What are you doing here?

Oh, I got done with my stuff

'so I thought maybe

I'd help you guys pack.'

Thanks, I think

we're almost done.

Where's your mom?

Um, she'll be right back.

Mm.

(Ken) There's something

I've gotta tell you...

No, Ken, if you think

that killing me

is gonna tie up

some sort of loose end for you

I have news for you,

it's just gonna create more.

How many bodies

do you think Hale's

'gonna be able to

cover up for you?'

Nicole.

- Megan, I'm so sorry.

- No, no, don't be sorry.

Look, if it wasn't for you,

I would've never called her

and figure out what the hell

has been going on here.

You can't lie to me, Ken.

The person that

you're blackmailing

is standing right next to you.

She told me about the email.

Actually, that email wasn't

specifically from Ken.

It was just from an email

called "The Initiative."

Honey, who do you think

The Initiative is?

It's him. Right?

It's your program.

It's your blackmail.

It's your punishments.

It's you having

these people around you

running in little roles

and it's all you.

It's in your book.

I didn't write the book.

What?

I didn't design the program.

Then who did?

How's everything going here?

'You guys ready to go?'

Yeah, we're just waiting

for Nicole to get back, right?

Justin designed everything.

I'm, I'm just the face.

How could you've not known?

You got members out there

doing manual labor for free.

Nicole, I honestly

thought that these people

believed in what it was

we're trying to create.

I thought they believed in me.

Listen, honey, that night

that they wanted you

to send me to the sauna

Ken told you to do that,

didn't he?

Somebody told me

that's what Ken wanted.

But I didn't think

it was her fault!

I thought she was just doing

what Ken wanted her to do

the same way that I did

when I sent you into the sauna.

Wait-wait, wait, okay.

Who's she?

Diana.

- 'Hello, Nicole.'

- Diana?

(Diana over phone) 'I think it's

time for you to come home now.'

'No police.'

She has my daughter.

[dramatic music]

Nicole! Welcome home.

- Ari!

- Mom!

Unh-unh-unh. No, no, no, no.

Mother-daughter reunion later.

Let's talk first.

(Ken)

Talk? Justin, what're you doing?

I can't believe I trusted you.

Well, in your defense,

you didn't make it easy

to earn your trust.

It was a lot of work.

Is this why you bailed me out

at the police station?

Why you knocked out Hale?

Well, it wasn't supposed

to get this far.

I mean, we warned you to stop

looking into Initiative.

It makes no sense, why would you

help me get into Ken's office

'and find the flash drives?'

You planted flash drives

in my office?

Insurance, Ken.

In case you and I had

one of our famous falling outs.

You weren't supposed

to actually find them.

You were supposed

to just check the computer

see that nothing was on there

and stop digging.

Diana.

Why are you doing this?

Because I wasn't lying to you

when I said that

Initiative changed my life.

I met my fiance there.

You're engaged to Justin?

We met at one of her weekends

at my house.

'Every member

has their opportunity'

but nobody was quite like Diana.

Diana, you can't do this.

He killed Phyllis and Robyn.

[chuckles]

Justin didn't kill them.

I did.

Why?

Because they were a threat

to the program.

And a threat to the program

is a threat to us.

Why would you do this?

We had a genuinely opportunity

to help people.

Oh, please.

It was a scam, Ken!

It was always a scam.

'You were just too happy

to be worshipped as a guru'

to actually see

what was happening here.

No, it's not what this is about

it's because nobody

would follow you.

So you just stood in my shadow

and you rode my coattails.

Alright, enough of this.

Diana, get Nicole

into the basement.

- Ken too.

- No! Wait!

Thanks to Nicole here.

'Initiative is gonna have

to start'

all over.

And this time they're gonna

have a new leader.

And don't worry, Nicole.

Nothing will happen to Ari.

Don't touch her.

Initiative will

take care of her.

Let's go.

I'm so sorry, Nicole.

For all of this, I truly am.

[intense music]

[grunts]

(Diana) Justin, what do I do?

What do I do? What do I do?

Shoot him! Shoot him!

[gunshot]

Get Nicole! Go!

[grunting]

Close the door.

Um, here. Hurry, hurry.

- Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

- 'Nicole!'

(Diana) 'Open up.'

'There's nowhere

for you to hide.'

Go in, will you? Go ahead.

(Diana)

'Nicole, there's nowhere to go.'

'Open up!'

[gunshot]

Come on, Nicole.

Let's not play games.

I can see you, Ari.

[grunting]

(Diana) No!

[both grunting]

[gunshot]

[grunting]

Go. Go.

[both grunting]

[screaming]

[grunting]

[intense music]

Stop!

You were told a lot of lies,

Nicole.

But one thing was true

nobody leaves Initiative.

(Hale) Justin.

What took you so long?

[siren blaring]

- Why did you call for backup?

- I didn't.

Yeah, they're here now.

Your move.

[grunting]

Freeze! On your knees!

[grunting]

♪ I came from the mud ♪

♪ There's dirt on my hands ♪

♪ Strong like a tree ♪

♪ There's roots where I stand ♪

♪ Oh I've been running

from the law ♪

(Ari) 'What happened to Ken?'

(Nicole) The doctor

say he's gonna be okay.

He saved our lives.

I know.

What about Diana?

Diana?

Let's just say

she got what she deserved.

[upbeat music]

Good.

♪ Take back

what you want to say ♪

♪ You know it wouldn't matter

anyway ♪

♪ Oh no ♪

♪ And you ♪

You know what,

I just realized though

Laura raided my fridge

over the weekend.

- 'Oh, did she?'

- Big time.

And, uh, I'm really hungry

right now.

Do you wanna grab

lunch somewhere

before you hit the road?

Yeah, I could grab a bite.

(Ari) 'I was just so hungry.'

Do you have a place

you wanna go?

Yeah, there's this really

cool place right off campus

that Laura showed me.

I think you'll like it.

It'll be great to see some of

the places you hang out.

Yeah, I started exploring more

few spots.

[ominous music]

[instrumental music]

Bound by Blackmail (2022) - full transcript